PS 15 News + Notes 3/21

Written By Bob Bland

A Few Quick Notes:

Unity Circles Tuesday @ 6:30 PM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81048966345?pwd=djJpQkZYbFBCeDhDVWszYUp5VG1zdz09 Meeting ID: 810 4896 6345 Passcode: 153070

Translations

English: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vVVcI1pD0aoNApRPc13OdW1D9haT6JIgOLX_tF6WyO8/edit?usp=sharing

Espanol: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jEMpPXC3eyY1uV2VFV7bL8XHNitFncUrsIzdZxBMS3E/edit?usp=sharing

Chinese: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TylMfzPCXFemcKu1o1yWHRpt0K8DMLhP7S43QxHYvVg/edit?usp=sharing

Arabic: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fN6vuMdo4yqYCvoPt8Lw5Oh2CZUZII_jJZY3LjrnTGo/edit?usp=sharing

Dear Families, 

Spring is here!  With the arrival of spring so too comes the promise of seeing each other more and more often!  The Mayor and Chancellor announced on Friday that given new CDC guidelines around the six foot distance and spacing rule in school, they intend to open another opportunity for families to select  in-person learning.  There are still plans and guidance that need to be put in place before more children will be able to return to school buildings.  Please know as soon as any guidance or directions come in regarding this opt-in next window, I will share it immediately.  

While we await further guidance we can at least take comfort in knowing more opportunities for being together are accessible now that winter is behind us, whether it is in-person school, Super Saturdays, or meeting up in the neighborhood or on the playground!  The vaccine also brings another window of hope on the horizon.  Vaccine information can be found HERE and all adults will be eligible starting in May.  PS 15 is working with community partners to see how we can help ensure equitable access for Red Hook residents. 

 Whether it's because of the weather, vaccinations, or a combination of the two, I hope you are feeling hopeful with the possibilities in front of us and I look forward to seeing you and your child/ren soon one way or another!  One exciting way we will be seeing each other in June is for various end of year celebrations.  First up is finalizing details for the Fifth Grade Final Assembly and celebrations.  Please join us for the 5th Grade Committee Meeting this Thursday at 8:10 AM. Soon to come will be planning for field days for all grades and end-of-year celebrations for our youngest learners!

I would like to hold a space here for our Asian identifying community members who have faced consistent bias and hatred, particularly over the course of this pandemic due to false narratives and rhetoric around the COVID virus. This week we witnessed yet another mass shooting event, this time targeting Asian massage workers.   Superintendent Skop has posted her letter of support HERE.  These resources have been shared by the Department of Education for use in classrooms or at  home.  I also found unpacking this article with my son helpful.   I am looking for someone or a group of someones to take on a “Coming Together Through Stories” project for PS 15.  In our principal’s conference this week we talked about the power of empathy and sharing our stories as a fundamental necessity to fostering equity.  If anyone is interested in thinking through a project whereby we can create a space for our community members to share their stories, please reach out to Ms. Cavanagh.  I am sending my solidarity and love to our Asian community members and remain committed to our continuous efforts in building a school community that honors, holds up and celebrates the liberation of all peoples.

On Monday, March 15th PS 15 was honored to host Chancellor Porter on her first day in her new role.  Thank you to fifth grade students Maliyah Bell and Annabri McCloud who worked diligently with Ms. Elzoghby, Ms. Popow,  Rachel Marks and the ACES ICT teams, and to  Ms. Mendez and the 4/5 Dual Language team  for hosting the Chancellor during her visit.  I am very happy to announce that one outcome of Chancellor Porter’s visit was her advocacy around the clearance for PS 15 to hire a guidance counselor; we have now officially been approved to do so!  More information forthcoming as our hiring committee finalizes decisions.  Having a guidance counselor will be a wonderful asset for our community and for our children.  I know you join me in thanking all of the folks at our BCO, Brooklyn North, our Superintendent, and the Chancellor in working to secure this opportunity for our community!

As a CSI school, we receive $2000 to spend on a participatory budgeting project.  This means our SLT proposes a few projects, or ways to spend the funds and YOU get to vote on the winning project.  Please fill out the survey HERE!  It takes just a few minutes and ensures we use this funding in a way that benefits the most folks.

Equity of Voice and Students as Leaders of Their Own Learning  are central to our shared values at PS 15.  This week I launch a new initiative to ensure that students have an organized group to provide feedback and ideas and a space to share their opinions and drive decision making at PS 15.  The Students’ Justice League will be open to all students.  I will meet with designated grades of students “lunch bunch style” on Wednesdays via Zoom in March-May.  Any student who wishes to attend should join!  The flyer/schedule is HERE and teachers will also add this information to their playlists.  The first open meeting will be on 3/24 for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten students.  I look forward to hearing from and getting to spend time with your children!

3/24 @ 12:45

Prek and Kindergarteners Students' Justice League 

Zoom Meeting: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89301956162?pwd=VVh5YW1aYU05VzhZOXdJem1ib1NGZz09 

Meeting ID: 893 0195 6162

Passcode: 626353

Don't forget:  March is Reading Awareness Month!  Please check out our “For the LOVE of Reading” campaign for the month of March.  THIS LINK has all of the fun resources you will need for the month including:

  • Our “Good Night PS 15” Series:  each M-Th in the month of March put your kid in their jammies, turn on zoom and walk away for a little grown-up time (or put on your jammies and join us too!) while our staff engages your child and our community in a good night read aloud and discussion!  Link to flyer w/ zoom link also HERE.  DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND:  we will continue with Good Night with PS 15 for the rest of the school year!  A new flyer will be forthcoming, the children are deciding which night of the week it will continue on (we will move from four nights to one night starting in April so Ms. Cavanagh’s family does not disown her!). 

Good Night PS 15

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through March 25th @ 7:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82471439608?pwd=TzhMMGdrOFY2bmV1YXNIL2hSUWwvZz09 

Meeting ID: 824 7143 9608

Passcode: 373700

  • The links for the Bingo/Passport Cards your child will complete this month and turn in in April for a special reward!

  • A link to all of our digital reading resources.  Also HERE.

  • And an explanation and link for our social media campaign #ps15reads4joy:  send us your selfies of your child, family, even your pet reading for joy!

  • HERE is a wonderful resource for parents in Prek-2 created by Ms. Dervish.  This resource lays out all of the components of early literacy with tips and resources!  We will continue to add literacy resources to the linked shared folder. 

Don’t forget our grown-ups only ongoing series!  Ms. Johnson and I hope to see you for some grown-up time this week as part of our wellness and mindfulness series!  Join us for:  The schedule and zoom links for our series, PS.15 Wellness Series for Grown-Ups  ~I didn't sign up for this!  Surviving the Age of Pandemic Parenting~ is linked here. DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND:  we will continue this series through the end of the year.  A new flyer will be forthcoming and will include more options of the sessions we have going already and we will be adding a Friday Mindfulness and Nutrition series with Cornell as well as a Parenting Series with NYU on supporting behaviors, scheduling, and boundaries at home!

This week’s sessions include: 

Community Circles

with Ms. Cavanagh and Athena Malloy

Let’s treat ourselves to some grown-up time to connect, breathe, heal and hold a space for each other. 

Tuesday March 23

at 6:30PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81048966345?pwd=djJpQkZYbFBCeDhDVWszYUp5VG1zdz09 

Meeting ID: 810 4896 6345

Passcode: 153070

Check in and Chat with Melissa Johnson

Come to this grown-up space to vent, connect, and chat.  We can’t wait to see you!

Wednesday March 24

at 11:30AM 

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85672776055?pwd=SVlwZWt2VS9ZN0RXZ0IzZ2FDckplQT09

Meeting ID: 856 7277 6055

Passcode: 579438

Ms. Stass has begun preparing mindfulness videos to use at home!  THIS is the folder where those videos will live!  The first one, “Breath of Joy” is waiting for you and your family!

The Department of Education has put forth a proposal to change the configuration and utilization of PS 676.  You can find the details of their proposal and information about the public hearing HERE.  This is separate from, but related to the rezoning that Community Education Council 15 will be voting on regarding the northern part of our district.  You can stay up to date with CEC 15, HERE. The CEC is an elected parent body filled with parent volunteers who are elected to advocate for school communities in their given district and have the legislative responsibility of voting on decisions regarding zoning of elementary schools.

A gentle reminder that beginning this Saturday, March 27th, children and staff will be on Spring Break.  We return to our scheduled programming on Monday, April 5th.  Have a wonderful week; I hope everyone is able to get outdoors and take advantage of some time for screen-free play and exploration!  

As always, please communicate with us if you need support, an alternative plan, or  more resources or supplies.  We are here to support and help each and every one of our families.  You can contact your child’s teacher, the main office, Ms. Johnson or Ms. Cavanagh anytime for anything you need!

Be well, 

Ms. Julie Cavanagh

Interim Acting Principal

Important Information and Resources:

  • Learning Bridges Application, note families can now select choices,  Learning Lab @ The Miccio Cornerstone Community Center is in Red Hook.  Karl, who runs the site, said families can come to arrange in person as well.  There are still spots available for days your child is enrolled in remote learning. 

  • PS 15 Family Assistance Form Request Families who need assistance with rent, bills, or food are encouraged to fill out this form.  PTA and our COVID committee are working to secure support for our families in need.  

  • Please feel free to share this donor facing form with your networks (we will match donors w/ families who fill out the assistance request form.) You can share this form with anyone you would like who might like to support a family in need. 

  • Parent University (parentu.schools.nyc) is a course registration and management system where NYC families can find free trainings on a wide range of topics. Parent University serves all families, from early childhood through adulthood, and seeks to educate and empower them as partners and advocates through free courses, resources, events, and activities. They currently offer 200+ pre-recorded, on-demand, or live, web-based courses and they cover a wide range of topics including:  

·         Adult and Continuing Education

·         Early Childhood Education  

·         Enrollment  

·         Health and Wellness 

·         Multilingual Learners  

·         Parent Leadership   

·         Remote Learning and Technology   

·         School Buildings and Operations   

·         Special Education    Haven't joined us yet? Watch this short video tutorial to learn how to create an account. Then, go to parentu.schools.nyc to log in and enroll in one of their upcoming live, web-based courses!

Dates Ahead:

Prek Applications for the 2021-2022 School Year opened on 2/24

No School 3/29-4/2/21, Spring Break

-Mindfulness and Wellness Series w/ Ms. Stass, Ms. Johnson and Ms. Cavanagh.  February 9th-April 29th

~For The LOVE of Reading campaign March 1st-March 26th

Coming Soon:

-Title 1 Family Workshops (Wth thanks to our Title 1 Committee Chair, Kate Thompson!).  These will be scheduled as part of our Saturday Series in May and June for social-emotional supportive parent-child arts sessions and a Family Festival and BB! With our partners at Good Shepherds! 

-Parent-Child Art Workshops w/ Studio in a School we will have three in person opportunities outdoors in May and June, two sessions each day, pending permitting.  

-Parent-Child Virtual Art Based Workshops with Marquis Studios:

  • April 12th:  Music Around  the World with Mr. Hector

  • Week of 5/3:  Mothers and Others Virtual Latin Dance

  • Week of 6/4:  Fathers and Others Virtual Hip Hop Dance

-Targeted academic support and enrichment has begun for select students, virtually and outside of the school day. We will have additional opportunities for Saturdays in April-June, more information coming pending permits as we are trying to prepare family events as well as drop off events!

Bob Bland
Bob Bland is a Brooklyn-based fashion designer, entrepreneur and community art advocate. Her brand, Brooklyn Royalty, was founded in 2006 and inspired by the fiercely independent spirit and highly individual aesthetic of King’s County residents. A professional apparel + graphic designer with previous experience at Marc by Marc Jacobs, Triple Five Soul, Rugby by Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Banana Republic, her line combines timeless design principles, premium materials and hand-printed graphics that are meant to look and wear better over time. In 2009, Bob created The Arsenal, an inclusive cultural event space that doubled as a showroom and fashion laboratory for the local creative community. Built on the foundations of an actual Civil War-era armory, The Arsenal’s inception and subsequent partnership with Brooklyn Royalty provided the brand with opportunities to exhibit new collections and host innovative fashion events in a gallery-style setting. In 2010, Bob’s NYC headquarters were located at Kingdom, a Brooklyn phenomena that served triple duty as bar, boutique and gallery space for the local creative community. Her first-ever concept store, Kingdom exclusively stocked Brooklyn Royalty men's and ladies' apparel, accessories and jewelry, as well as 15 of the best local & independent designers, along with gallery exhibitions and BKR collaborations with emerging artists. MANUFACTURE NEW YORK is the culmination of her 8+ years in the NYC fashion world- a nonprofit fashion cooperative dedicated to providing independent designers with the resources & skills necessary to streamline their production process + transform local manufacturing into the most affordable, innovative option for all.
https://www.bobbland.net
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